- How is the training going? Up to yesterday I'd have said "Fine, all OK - going to plan" but today felt like a massive FAIL even though I completed 16 miles. But it felt slow, I walked a lot and I'd planned on 20 miles as my last long run before "M-day". Perhaps it was the heat/blazing sunshine, perhaps the lack of sleep last night, perhaps I'm still recovering from 18 miles last Wednesday, perhaps, perhaps ... But I have to put it down to experience and not dwell on it - easier said than done.
- What was the Silverstone Half-marathon like? Awesome - 6000+ runners, quite a few in fancy dress, many practising (like me) for the full distance. Gloriously sunny, 17C at times, well organised and traffic-free. Only snags were finding a toilet at the start (found one in a pit garage!) and getting out of the car park afterwards so Trevor and I had a welcome coffee/cake while the crowds dissipated.
- When exactly is the London Marathon? Only 25 days away - it's two weeks after Easter on Sunday April 22. I'm spending this time mostly cross-training - on skis in Val d'Isere for a week, then on the bike on Easter Monday doing the Codebreaker Sportive (100km around MK).
- How are you getting there? Jim, a member of the local athletics club, always organises an 80-seater coach from MK to the Start and then back from the Finish. Trevor and my neighbour Jean will be travelling up with me and cheering me on/picking up the pieces at the end! I'm hoping I can return the favour the following week when Jean does the Milton Keynes Inaugural Marathon.
- Is anyone you know also doing it? Not really - I can't say I know Jedward or Ed Balls! I'm hoping I'll make friends along the way - I can't imagine I'll stay schtum for 5+ hours. Which brings me on to the most Frequently Asked Question
- How long do you expect to take? The quick answer is above, the true answer is that I have no idea. I've never run the distance or trained on roads (MK has friendly grassy bits to absorb the pounding) or run in serious heat or rain or run with so many others or ... or ...
- How's the fundraising going? Magnificently - people have been SO generous. I'm over half way to my target and it's so encouraging. MKPCC needs extra funds at this time to set up the new Baby Basics premises and we keep getting bills, whether it's for fixing a door warped by the unexpected sunshine or for fire extinguishers that we hope we never use!
MKPC12 £10 (or less) to 70070.
I'm getting a Marathon T-shirt printed with this number on it so that bystanders can also donate!
